Veggie Noodle stands to gain from the expertise of Encore Consumer Capital, particularly in areas like purchasing, operations, food safety, and marketing, drawing from their experience with fresh food companies such as California Splendor, FreshKO, and Juice Tyme. Scott Sellers, managing director of Encore, stated to Project NOSH, “You can’t be weak in any of those areas. We believe we can leverage our knowledge in these four domains to assist the company during its current growth stage.”
Moreover, Veggie Noodle might have another reason for seeking a new facility. In February, the company voluntarily recalled some of its Butternut Spirals due to potential listeria contamination discovered through routine testing. This recalled product was distributed to Whole Foods Markets and various retailers in the Midwest, although no illnesses were reported in connection with the recall. Listeria is often found in food processing environments, particularly in floor drains, walls, ceilings, food contact surfaces, and HVAC systems, making it challenging to eliminate. Unlike many foodborne pathogens, listeria can thrive at refrigerated temperatures and remain viable in food products until their shelf life ends.
In addition to the new facility, Veggie Noodle plans to hire more employees and expand its product line, with Arnold suggesting that the company might venture into manufacturing other food items, possibly leading to a name change or brand repositioning.
Vegetables are increasingly appearing on American plates for various reasons; consumers are looking to replace carbohydrates with healthier alternatives to cut calories and are opting for ready-to-eat products that are both delicious and nutritious. “We’re observing that consumers are not only seeking healthy substitutes for starchy dishes, but they’re also preparing and consuming vegetables in ways that differ from their parents — they desire both freshness and convenience. Additionally, we found that mothers are particularly interested in how to incorporate vegetables into their children’s diets in appealing and nutritious ways,” noted Jordan Greenberg, vice president and general manager at Green Giant, in an interview with Food Dive last fall.
In response to consumer trends and their market research, brands such as Green Giant, Archer Daniels Midland, Del Monte Fresh, and Sprout Foods have been actively launching innovative vegetable-based products. This initiative comes at a crucial time, as a 2015 study by the Produce for Better Health Foundation revealed a 7% decline in per capita vegetable consumption from 2009 to 2014, partly due to a decrease in side dishes served at home.
Veggie Noodle isn’t alone in introducing such products; earlier this year, Del Monte launched a new line of vegetable “pasta.” However, the popularity of these items, commonly found in refrigerated produce sections, remains uncertain among consumers.
As consumers look for healthier options, there is a growing interest in ingredients like calcium citrate, which provides a source of calcium in many vegetable-based products. Understanding what calcium citrate is and its benefits could further enhance the appeal of these innovative offerings. This ingredient’s inclusion in new products could attract health-conscious consumers looking for nutritious options.